Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1887-11-23
by JOHN n. MUsIcK
CHAPTER XIX.

had been arranged the evening before,
Walter remained with them until the
day began To dawn.
That fatal Wednesday which was TO
be so remarkable. for veal or woe, to
Walter Bruwnheld. came at last. Wal
ter had slept but little during the night,
and at early dawn was dressed and on
the road. He determined to witness
the sunrise, perhaps the last he would
ever witness. The robbers would come
strongly armed. determined TO kill any
one who should turn traitor TO the I'M
holy cause. Walter determined TO see
the DAY br'ak over the hill east of the
house az Mr. Miles. There. where had
come To him the only pleasure he had
known since childhood, he would stand
aud behold the sunrise once more. II
Wis n gray, chilly dawn, withthe dark
ness of night still lingering in patches
along the skirts Of the forest Frost
had whitened the brown leaves and
hung like hoary powder from the stems
Of the grass. Walter passed the house,
we'll ON the left, near the great barn,
and was looking over the crest Of the
hill lie was beneath the spreading
branches Of n giant oak. He turned
about and galcd upon the great farm
house. that house which contained the
only being hc evor sincerely loved.
How far was she from himP Would
she dcspise him when she knew that
he was connected with the bandits and
highwaymen of Preston FlatP The
house was quiet, but anon he heard
persons walking about
"They will be out soon, and must
not let them find me here" said Wal
ter.
The sun now began to slowly ascend.
Walter turned and fixed his eyes on
the glorious orb. Supremacy bright,
Il rose above the horizon flooding the
entire valley with golden light. Wal
ter's whole attention was turned to-
ward the rising sun; he felt n strong
impression that il might be the last
dawn he would witness. Great events
must transpiro before another would
come.
GLORIOUS sight what an emblem OF
purity" said Walter. feeling a quiet
enthusiasm. els il possible that clouds
could ever come to shut out such ra-
diant light. Will the weight upon my
heart ever be removed, and will my
hopes ascend as bright and glorious as
the sunP'
He was silent. Happiness had
never been for him, and though his
mother had so often said: ut is dark
est Just before dawn" he was on the
verge of despair. There was even a
pleasure in the sadness that burdened
his soul.
While standing thus he heard faint
rustic in the path behind him, and
turning quickly about, he was aston
ished to find himself face TO face with
Pinkey Miles. She uttered low cry
and was in the act OF turning to fly.
"Pinkey, Pinkey- Miss Miles. do
not be alarmed, il is l." said Walter,
in q low, earnest voice.
"Why are you hereP' she asked,
after moments silence.
al staid near here last night, Pinkey
excuse me for unwonted familiarity
Il mean Miss Miles, and l came here
to see the sun rise. and have look at
the old place once more, before leav-
ing Il perhaps forever. j did not ex-
pect to meet any Of the family. much
less yourself
Pinkey's dark eyes were downcast,
and an expression Of the deepest sad.
ness stole over her face. and q mo-
ment's silence ensued.
Forgive me. Miss Miles, for tres
passing on your fathers grounds; ]
had no evil intentions, and assure you
this will be the last time"
"Are you going away from Bush
villeP" Pinkey at length asked, will
just little anxiety in her tone.
81 shall soon, Miss Miles. / have
Suffered more in Preston Flat than
ever thought human could endurei II
seems that here have no friends. NV
every act and thought are miscon.
strued, and am regarded with suspi
cion by ALL Were the greatest Grim
inal on earth, people would not regarc
me with more suspicion, | know
Pinkey-forgive me for calling you by
that name-but know you have hearC
these rumorS They RrS false; swea
% you by all my hopes of Heaven than
they are false. care not what others
mag believe Of me am innocent"
''I know Il" the girl said, hardly able
TO repress her rising tears.
THANK Heaven for thatl o, that
your father could only believe it, too. y
"He would but for one thing, Wal
ter" said Pinkey.
"What is thatr' asked the youth.
eagerly. eff l only knew might
convince him Of my innocence"
at IS one circumstance, and only
one by which you are suspected by fa-
Their. On the night Of the attack on
Mr.. Brown, when father rescued him.
he inquired for YOU, and brother ttohn
and Ben as soon as he came home.
You were not hero, and came in an
hour or so after the wounded mans ar
rival. That was late at night, and we
all supposed you in bed"
"Pinkey, / will tell you and must
ask your pardon as l do so. II | Car
convince YOU of my innocence l care
not what the world may think. could
not sleep that night-my soul seemed
on fire. The cause was yourself, anc
the utter hopelessness of my ever be
ing worthy OF You. arose anc
slipped down the stairway unseen, anC
almost unconsciously followed thu
forest road TO the school-houso, alons
which we-or Twas so happy return
ing from church. Each tree and shrul
there seemed dear 10 me. fingered
long by the way. My thoughts wer'
of YOU, and Heavens, II j could hav'
died that night how much better ]
would have been. How much miser!
j would have been spared.
The reader may smile at Walter. ye
how many have had experiences sim
liar TO this. Many are the long lone
some walks taken by tho lover. dow
wooded paths. perhaps grown dear o.
tender associations. In after life sue
things are regarded as among the FOL
lies Of youth; yet at the time they ar
realities. giving the most intense pleas
ure or pain.
Walter paused a moment after hav
ing concluded the above, striving &
meet the eyes of the timid girl befOr
him; he said;
''Pinkey. what have told you Is tn
truth. / never intended 10 tell an,
mortal Of that nights walk; ! woul'
not tell another even II / should ham
for a crime / never committed. Nor